Following allegations made by Burzichelli this week that Sunoco appeared to have “influenced” West Deptford officials to violate state law with the promise of two new fire engines, Sweeney on Thursday characterized the deal either a “kickback” or an “illegal bribe.”

“Town officials were well aware that, if they followed the law and escrowed the $13.1 million with NJDEP as required by legislation, Sunoco was prepared to rescind its ‘charitable contribution’ of at least $750,000,” said Sweeney, a West Deptford resident, in a release statement.

“I must conclude, unfortunately, that West Deptford’s payment of these funds to Sunoco was either an effort by the Township officials to give Sunoco an illegal tax kickback in order to secure fire trucks, or an effort by Sunoco to give West Deptford an illegal bribe in order to secure $13.1 million in public funds that were required by law to be paid in escrow to the NJDEP for use in environmental remediation at the Eagle Point facility.”

In January of this year, Sweeney and Burzichelli earlier this year introduced legislation requiring tax rebates owed to an owner of a contaminated site be given instead to the Department of Environmental Protection, to ensure the land meets environmental standards. It was later approved and Gov. Chris Christie signed it into law on July 9.

Burzichelli on Wednesday pointed to an email, dated June 30, in which Sunoco attorney Jeffrey Gordon, of the firm Archer & Griener, states that while the refinery has been shuttered, Sunoco plans to use the property for other uses, and later references West Deptford’s “serious need” for two new fire engines.

He then describes Sunoco’s offer: If Sunoco receives its $13.9 million refund, with “none of the $13.9 million refund deposited with the [DEP] pursuant to pending New Jersey legislation,” then Sunoco would pledge $1 million toward two new fire engines.

Officials representing West Deptford and Sunoco have both stated their legal teams concluded that the new law does not apply to the Eagle Point property.